Package for cosmetics and the like



sept. 3o, 195s W K- TELLER EFA'- 2,854,133

PACKAGE FOR COSMETICS AND THE LIKE Original Filed Dec. 23. 1954 Y i ln f2 lllllllll' United States atent Office Patented Sept. 30, 1958 PACKAGE FOR COSMET'CS AND THE LIKE W Kedzie Teller, Riverside, and Alfred A. Bernhardt, St. Charles, lli., assigner-s, by mesne assignments, to Joseph A. Seagram and Sons, lne., New York, N. Y., a corporation of indiana Continuation of application Serial No. 477,312, December 23, 1954. rThis application January 24, 1953, Serial No. 708,210

6 Claims. (Cl. 20o- 56) This invention relates to a package and more particularly to a package for stick type cosmetics, deodorants and the like, having a highly volatile base and which must be kept tightly sealed not only before sale to a customer but also after each use thereof. Cosmetics or deodorants of the type for which `this package is unusually well adapted include those stick type materials which have a soap gel base which may consist primarily of a soap and an alcohol or alcohol-like material in such proportions as to form a gel which, although fum, may be readily spread upon the person. The relatively high percentage of alcohol or similar liquid combined with the soap is readily evaporable and if such cosmetic is-left exposed to the air it will rapidly shrink in size and become relatively hard and unuseable.

This application is a continuation of our copending application, Serial No. 477,312, filed December 23, 1954, now abandoned.

In packaging such cosmetic, deodorant or similar material for sale at a low price, it is important that no elaborate or expensive package or packaging materials shall be employed. For example, it is highly desirable to make use of a glass bottle with a screw cap which is relatively inexpensive and reliably air-tight even after repeated opening and closing thereof. Obviously metal or plastic containers with screw caps or other similarly tightly sealable closures could be used but in most instances would be considerably more expensive than a glass bottle. In view of the gel-like consistency of the product it is desirable to encase it in some material which will shield it from contact with the ngers when the same is in use. Such products are customarily packaged in a cylindrical tube of some inexpensive material such as cardboard or metal foil. Metal foil may be peeled away as the product is used but such operation is likely to be objectionable and, in any event, creates an unsightly appearance. When cardboard tubes or the like are used, the product must be projected from the tube forI a sufficient distance to expose a portion thereof for use. lt has been customary to utilize an open-ended cardboard tube with a paper or similar follower disk inserted at one end against which pressure may be exerted from time to time to expose additional length of material for use.

This invention provides a package for materials of the class described in which use may be made of an extremely inexpensive and simple tubular dispensing holder made of a ilexible plastic material, such as polyethylene, which may or may not be blended with other materials, having a disk-like insert at one end which may be availed of to project the product from the opposite end for use. The ilexible plastic material offers decided advantage over cardboard and because of the particular construction hereinbelow disclosed is made available for such use in an extremely simple and inexpensive manner. lf so desired, the insert disk may be of a special configuration whereby a preliminary release of the product from the walls of the tubular dispensing container may be effected.

Furthermore, the tubular dispensing container may be so proportioned with regard to the screw cap bottle or other hermetically sealable outer enclosure within which it is positioned for sale and use as that under all ordinary circumstances the product will be ready for use, that is, a sufficient length thereof will be projected beyond the wall of the tubular dispensing container for application to the body of the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a package for materials such as cosmetics, deodorants and the like, having a volatile base which is extremely simple in construction, assembly, use and reuse and is so inexpensive as to be readily available for use in connection with low-priced products. Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred but not necessarily the only form of the present invention taken in connection with the drawings covering and forming a part of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of a package embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section along the line 2 2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the tubular dispensing container and follower disk used in the forni of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a somewhat diagrammatic View illustrating the position of the parts shown in Fig. 3 during the filling operation;

Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating a step in the preparation of the product for completion of packaging;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view similar to Fig. 3 and showing a modified form of the present invention;

Fig. 7 is a section along the line 7-7 in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing a further modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings:

In Fig. 1 there is shown an outer hermetically sealable container 10 which may comprise a wide-mouthed, screw cap glass bottle consisting of a glass body 12 and a screw cap 14, the latter being interiorly threaded to engage ascrew thread 16 molded on the exterior surface of the lip of the bottle. Preferably, also, the screw cap 14 is provided with a gasket 18 of suitable durable material which may be brought into tight sealing engagement withl the lip of the bottle 12 upon application of the cap 14- thereto. It will be apparent that the bottle and screw cap comprising the outer container 10 may be made from materials other than glass and metal, respectively, without departing from the scope of the present invention a1- though such materials are preferred because of their low cost.

Within the outer container 10 is positioned a tubular dispensing container 20 in which is positioned a cylindrical stick 22 of the product for which the package is designed. The product 22, for example, may be a stick type cosmetic such as perfume or cologne or it may comprise a stick type deodorant, anti-perspirant or other substance intended to be applied to the body. While certain stick type materials may have a non-volatile base such as emulsions of fatty or oily materials, there are many such products which have a volatile base such as a soap gel which customarily contains a relatively high percentage of alcohol or similar volatile substance. It is for the latter type of volatile base materials that the present package is particularly well tted although it will be understood that the features of convenience and low cost are as well adapted to use with other materials.

ln Fig. 2 it will be observed that the cylindrical dispensing container 20 has an overall length somewhat less than the distance between the bottom 24 of the bottle andthe bottle k12 andV the material 22 is immediately available for application to the body. Itis a-feature of one form of the present invention that kthe materialV 22 will project in this manner when the same is packaged by the manufacturer. f

YReferring now to Figs. ,2 and 3, there is shown a follower `disk indicated generally at 28 which is adapted for insertion in the bottom `of the cylindrical inner container Ztl-where it williit snugly but yet movably. so that the user may progressively push upwardly upon the disk 28 to expose the material V22 forV use as the same is being expended. The follower disk 28, inthe preferred form shown in Figs. 2 and3, includes a generally flat ring-like portion 30 having a dependent ange 32 for engagement with the inner surface of the cylindrical container 20. There also is provided a" central depressed portion 34, the bottom of which extends substantially below the lower edge ofthe ange 32. When the cylindrical body 20 and follower disk 28 are originally assembled by the manufacturer,.'they are assembled in the position shovmrin Fig. 4 wherein kthe flange 432 is inserted into the tube 20 while the depressed portion 34 extends beyond the length of the tube. With the parts thus positioned the product 22 in liquid or molten form is poured into the cylindrical container 20. lWhen filled to the top the container is permitted to cool whereupon the contents 22 will solidify.

In commercial operation the filling of the container 20 ordinarily will be performed by suitable automatic moldingmachines. For example, in Fig. .4 there` is shown a portion of a multiple-cavity molding machine` 36 in which the filling operation may be performed. Such machine is provided with a plurality of openings 38 into which containers 20 may be individually inserted to rest ,in a depression 40 formed in the base 42 of the machine. The openings 38 are sized to tit rather snugly around the inserted containers 20 andthe depression 40 is preferablysomewhat greater in diameter than the containers 20 whereby they may be rapidly inserted without the need for precise vertical alignment. The molding machine 36 includes a nozzle 44 from which the liquid or molten product 22 may be supplied to the-containers Upon cooling or solidification of the gel-like material 22 within the tube 20, the same may be removed from the molding machine 36. Thereafter, as a preliminary to insertion of the tube 20 and contents 22 into the outer container 10, the assembly is pressed downwardly upon a suitable horizontal surface indicated `at 46 in Fig. and the tube 20 is forced downwardly whereby the' depressed portion 34 of the diskl 28 is brought substantlally into the plane of the lower edge of the tube 20. Thus the upper end of the material 22 is projected e beyond the edge 26 `of the tube 20 for a distance equal to the difference in Vertical dimensions between the ange 32 and the depressed portionv34 of the disk 28. Such action-exposes a portion of the material 22 for immediate use when the package is rst opened by the user. Beyond. this, however, it has been observed with many materials that quite a strong bond is formed between the contents 22 and the inner surface ofthe tube 20 in which it` has been molded. Therefore it is quite diicult sometimes to bring about the first longitudinal movement between the material 22 and the tube 20 although after the initial bond is broken subsequent.

movement offers no difficulty. With the form of. the

invention shown in Figs. 1 through 5 the initial bond can be overcome by the manufacturer and the customer may be spared such annoyance.

In'the modified form of the invention shown m Figs.

6 and 7, the cylindrical container 120 may be similar in all respects to the cylindrical container hereinabove described. The follower disk 128, however, is simplen in construction and comprises merely a generally iiatV circular body. 130 having an up-turned flange 132. This simpler form of the invention is particularly usefulwhere it is not considered necessary to break the. initial bond between the product and the tube 120 or to have the with Figs. l through 5.

f use cardboard or paper follower disks which iit loosely product in condition for immediate use upon first opening of the package. e

The construction shown in Fig. 8 constitutes a modification of the form described hereinabove in connection invention the follower disk 228 is provided with a flange 232 which extends above and below the generally flatk circular bottom 230 in substantially the same way as the ange 132 shown in Fig. 6. Theprojection 234 corresponds` in function with the projection 34, shown in Figs. l through 5, and in this form of the invention comprises a ring `molded integrally with the follower disk 228. The lower edge of the ring-like projection 234 extends beyond the lower edge of the'ange 232 in the same manner and for the same purpose `as described above in connection with `the projection L34 shown in Figs. l through 5.

In any of the forms ofthe invention lhereinabove described it is a particular feature of theI present invention that the cylindrical container 20,.120 or 220- be made from a exibleplastic material. Flexible plastics made wholly or in part of polyethylene are particularly suitable. In this specification and claims whenever reference is made to polyethylene it is intended to in clude those flexible plastic materials which are made wholly of polyethylene or of blends of polyethylene with other materialsV which might imparty specifically desirable characteristics. For example, it is intended to include within such definition a blend such as polyethylene with polyisobutylene,which particular blend offers less adhesion to the soap gel.

Materials of the flexible plastic typeV oler the rather apparent advantages of desirable appearance and warmth and softness to the touch. VAlso, they convey a better impression upon the user than is conveyed by the cardboard, foil and other inexpensive Vmaterials heretofore used. Moreover, such material offers decidedly unexpected advantages in desired retention of the gelled stick due to contact of the inherently irregularly cross-sectional area of the extruded tube and in extremely low cost'of the assembled and lled container in spite of the relatively high cost per pound of the' raw material lfrom which the container is made. Cardboard tubing is made from a base material which is quite inexpensive but the finished product must be lspirally wound and .secured by adhesive and usually is covered with a decorative material such as foil, coated paper -or the like. Such assembly and conversion Steps .increase the cost considerably. 'Furthermore, with such cardboard tubes it is customary to and are inclined to become disarranged inuse .and thus annoying to the customer. In contrast` with this, the present invention provides a tubular body 2l) or 120 `which may be simply cut to desired length fromv astock size of extruded polyethylene, for example, in tubular form.

Thus the cost per pound of -the'extruded polyethylene constitutes substantially the total cost of the cylindrical body since the cost of cutting'to size is almost negligible. The smooth vinterior surface of the cylindrical bodies 20,

12() or 220 permits the use of snugly 'fitted angedfollower disks such as disclosed herein.

Preferably, also, the follower disks 28,` `128 0r 228 .are molded from polyethylene or similar flexible plastic In this modified form of theV www,

material. Here again the very low cost of the molding step tends to oifset the relatively high cost per pound of the base material when the cost of the finished product is compared with that of the finished disks of cardboard and similar materials heretofore used. A particular advantage of the use of molded polyethylene follower disks in the polyethylene tubes is that a snug fit may be achieved in every instance and that such snug lit may be relied upon to persist through the period of use of the cosmetic or deodorant product. Thus, pressure exerted by the user upon the product 22 during application to the body will not cause the product to recede into the cylindrical container with the consequent annoying necessity for repositioning or perhaps holding the product in position by finger pressure upon the follower disk.

From a consideration of the follower disks 28, 1.28 or 228, as shown in the drawings, it will be observed that the flanges 32, 132 and 232 are slightly tapered. Such taper is provided to assure snug t irrespective of such minor variations in the dimensions of the disks or the cylindrical tubes as may occur within a reasonable range of manufacturing tolerances. In view -of the flexible nature of the polyethylene or other plastic employed in this invention, the tapered flanges will be self-adjusting to assure such snug t.

From a consideration of the above detailed description of preferred forms of the present invention it will be apparent that modifications and variations in detail may be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A package comprising an open-ended, extruded, seamless, permanently flexible otherwise shape-retaining polyethylene tube having a slick interior surface and slight variations in cross sectional area; a molded-inplace gelled stick cosmetic having a volatile base completely filling the tube, whereby said gelled stick is lightly held against movement in the tube by the variations in cross sectional area of the tube; and a polyethylene follower cup having a tapered rim positioned within the tube at one end thereof in contact with the stick and adapted to be moved lengthwise :back and forth in said tube.

2. A package comprising an open-ended, extruded, seamless, permanently exible otherwise shape-retaining polyethylene tube having a slick interior surface and slight variations in cross sectional area; a molded-in-place gelled stick vcosmetic having a volatile base completely filling the tube, whereby said gelled stick is lightly held against movement in the tube by the variations in cross sectional area of the tube; and a polyethylene follower cup having a tapered rim positioned within the tube at one end thereof in contact with the stick and adapted to be moved lengthwise back and forth in said tube, said tapered rim being a flexible flange having a normally free diameter at its free edge slightly greater than the inside diameter of said tube.

3. A package comprising a seamless, permanently exible, normally shape-retaining, extruded polyethylene tube of essentially uniform thickness throughout and open at both ends, having a slick interior surface and slight variations in internal cross sectional area; a polyethylene follower cup having a tapered rim positioned Within the tube at one end thereof and fitted to slidably move lengthwise in lsaid tube in both directions; and a molded-in-place shrinkable gel stick having a volatile base lling the tube, said stick being in gripping contact with the follower cup.

4. A dispenser :container for a volatile base gelled stick cosmetic comprising an open-ended, extruded, seamless, permanently flexible otherwise shape-retaining polyethylene tube having a slick interior surface and slight variations in cross sectional area; and a polyethylene follower cup positioned in one end of said tube having a tapered rim adapted to receive one end of said stick whereby said stick can be moved lenghwise back and forth in said tube.

5. A dispenser container for a volatile base gelled stick cosmetic comprising an open-ended, extruded, seamless, permanently flexible otherwise shape-retaining polyethylene tube having a slick interior surface and slight variations in cross sectional area; and a polyethylene follower cup positioned in one end of said tube having a tapered rim adapted to receive one end of said stick whereby said stick can be moved lengthwise back and forth in said tube, said tapered rim being a tiexible flange having a normally free diameter at its free edge slightly greater than the inside diameter of said tube.

6. A dispenser container for volatile base gelled stick cosmetics which comprises a seamless, permanently exible, normally shape-retaining, extruded polyethylene tube of essentially uniform thickness throughout and open at both ends, having a slick interior surface and slight variations in internal cross sectional area; a polyethylene follower cup having a tapered rim positioned within the tube at one end thereof and adapted to engage one end of said stick in gripping contact therewith whereby said stick can be moved lengthwise back and forth in said tube.

I References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,461,680 Root July l0, 1923 1,495,800 Recker May 27, 1924 1,632,594 Gatchell June 14, 1927 2,236,727 Dewees Apr. 1, 1941 2,430,718 Jacobson Nov. 11, 1947 2,619,087 Oclassen Nov. 25, 1952 2,626,487 Brown Jan. 27, 1953 2,691,981 Jones Oct. 19, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 356,871 France Dec. 12, 1905 28,634 Great Britain 1896 695,412 France Sept. 30, 1930 140,934 Australia Apr. 23, 1951 681,439 Great Britain Oct. 22, 1952 OTHER REFERENCES Precocious Plastics, Modern Plastics, vol. 25, p. 78, February 1948. (Copy in Div. 40, 206Material.) 

